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I started the ignition and headed out of the parking lot. I had another question for Andy, but it slipped my mind as I saw Don Cruz driving a damaged Ford sedan. Henry was in the passenger seat. They pulled into the Orozco’s parking area. Before they got out of the car, they pulled on ski masks.
“Andy, call the police and tell them there’s an emergency at the Orozco’s restaurant on Hatcher and Cave Creek. Robbery in progress. Do it now!”
I pulled my car around to the back of the restaurant where a sign read Deliveries Only.
I tried calling Millie; she didn’t answer.
Damn, damn, damn!
The back door was open for both fresh air and ventilation into the cooking area, but the security screen was locked. I pulled out my lock picks, but it took me three times longer than at Sergio’s apartment. My heart pounded in my chest; I willed it to stop.
Training took over. Once my heart steadied, the lock sprung. I held the door so it didn’t make noise and quietly entered the restaurant.
I heard voices, angry and scared. Don Cruz was shouting, “All of it! Now, old man!”
A gun shot rang out and Millie screamed. “No, no!” she cried out.
“That was a warning. Henry, get the money.”
Don sounded like he was losing it. He should be. He was wanted by the police and he was an idiot leaving his prints everywhere. Didn’t these young thieves watch crime shows anymore? Did they think the masks would prevent identification? There were security cameras all over the place, and their damaged car would be easy to identify.
“Don’t try it, kid,” Don said. What kid? Michael? Homer and Millie’s son had been working today. Damn.
Please don’t try to be a hero, Michael.
“Please, you can take the money,” Homer said. “Just put the gun down.”
When I had left ten minutes ago, there were only a couple customers in booths. I didn’t know if they were still there or had run out. Two cooks in the back. They stood frozen in the kitchen, which could be seen from the restaurant. They were staring at the masked Don and Henry. I gave a low whistle and the one closest to me looked over. I motioned for him to get down to the floor, slowly. He nodded, caught the other cook’s eye, and they both went to their knees.
I had my gun out and hid behind the swinging doors.
Don was ranting as Henry grabbed the money from the register.
“That’s it? That’s all you have? That’s not even three hundred bucks!”
“It’s all, I swear,” Homer said in a calm voice. “Take it and leave.”
“Your purse,” Don said, turning his gun to Millie. “Where’s your purse?”
“In the back room. Just go, go!”
Don walked over to where Michael, the Orozcos’s nineteen-year-old son, was standing at the counter. Michael went to community college and worked here part-time. He was the love of their life—their only child, born years after they married when they thought they’d never have children. Don put the gun to Michael’s head.
“Bitch, get your purse now or he’s dead.”
Millie was sobbing and I sidestepped the swinging doors as she burst through on her way to the back room.
She saw me, eyes wide, but she didn’t speak. I motioned for her to get down and pointed to the two cooks. She looked over her shoulder to where she could no longer see Michael or Homer. I nodded, motioned again for her to get on the floor.
She trusted me. I hoped and prayed that her trust was not misplaced.
I would never forgive myself if anything bad happened to her family.
Slowly, I peered through the round window in the swinging door. Henry was standing by the register, his eyes wide and shell-shocked. He held a plastic bag half-filled with cash. Don—taller, leaner than Henry—was standing next to Michael, gun out, but not pointing at anyone directly. While I couldn’t see his face, his eyes were visible through wide holes in the thin ski mask. They looked wild and rimmed red. He was high. I don’t think he’d slept since he shot at my house last night.
There were several customers huddled in booths, but Don didn’t seem to care much about them. He waved his gun to one who moved. “Stop!” he told the young woman, who started to cry.
Homer was calm, even though his eyes were worried.
